MMA Athlete Jake Shields Not Happy as Transgender Athlete Defeats a Female Fighter- Anthony Taylor and Diego Sanchez React

The first open transgender fighter to compete in MMA, Alana McLaughlin, just picked up her first victory in her MMA debut on the Combate Global prelims in Miami.

The 32-year-old submitted her opponent, Celine Provost, with a rear-naked choke towards the end of the second round. All this, after surviving a brutal onslaught of punches from Provost, which could have led to an early stoppage.

A former special forces soldier in the US Army, Alan McLaughlin is only the second transgender to compete in MMA after Fallon Fox; a transgender athlete who competed in MMA from 2012 to 2014. Interestingly, Fallon Fox was present cage side as a sign of support for her fellow transgender fighter making her debut.

McLaughlin has been quite vocal about spearheading the movement for normalizing transgender fighters competing in MMA. It was in 2010, after quitting the Army, that McLaughlin began the procedure for her gender change. At thirty-seven, she began training in MMA a year ago.

According to Combate Global executive Mike Afromowitz, McLaughlin passed all medical tests ahead of the bout. This also included a hormone panel, issued by the Florida State Boxing Commission.

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Jake Shields weighs in on Alana McLaughlin winning her MMA debut

Considering the controversial nature of the fight, and the debate surrounding transgender fighters competing against women in MMA, news of McLaughlin’s debut victory has had different reactions from fans and fighters alike.

Jake Shields, a former UFC fighter, seemed particularly distraught with the idea of a transgender athlete competing against women.

“This is the “women” MMA fighter that they just allowed to beat up a girl in Florida. So brave of “her” to transition, then live “her” dream of beating up women”    

A quick look at the comments of the post, and one can witness UFC veteran Diego Sanchez sharing a bewildered emoji. While Anthony Taylor, an MMA fighter, who recently fought Tommy Fury on the undercard for Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley, made the following comment, “Jake Shields over here trying to direct and produce Braveheart 2.” 

Furthermore, MMA reporter Ander Hickey also made the following comments on Jake Shields’ initial tweet, making the following statement.

“This man failed a pre USADA drug test. Do you know how hard that is! Out here complaining about people having an advantage.” 

As of now, there remains a lot of controversy surrounding transgender fighters competing against women in MMA. Considering the vast differences in structure and strength despite the gender change, many believe transgender athletes hold an unfair advantage in competition.

Only time will tell how the MMA community chooses to deal with this pressing issue.

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